Question

Water and liquid HF are good solvents for many ionic salts. However, oils and waxes with structures such as shown in the accompanying Lewis structure do not dissolve in water. Explain why.

Answer 1

water and liquid HF are polar solvents, hence they disslove polar solutes like ionic salts

Waxes and Oil however are non polar solvents, hence they dissolve non polar solutes.

As a general law; Polar solvent dissolves polar solute. Non polar solvent dissolves non polar solutes